As Nigerians prepare for the Sallah celebration amid worsening economic hardship, the soaring prices of tomatoes and peppers are placing fresh financial pressure on households, food vendors, and traders across the country. Once regarded as basic kitchen staples, the ingredients have become increasingly expensive, forcing many families to either buy in smaller quantities or turn to cheaper alternatives to survive.
A few days before the Sallah celebration, Mile 12 Market bustled with buyers and traders haggling over prices across crowded stalls.
Amid the noise, Rukayat Bello stood quietly, repeatedly adjusting the edge of her scarf as she counted the N1,000 notes in her purse.
“One, two, three, four…,” she murmured, staring at the tomatoes displayed in plastic bowls of various sizes.
After counting her money, she pulled out N7,000 and quietly reduced the quantity of tomatoes she intended to buy.
Bello had arrived at the market hoping to buy enough foodstuffs, including tomatoes and pepper, ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration. But after asking for the prices, her plans changed instantly. What once cost a few thousand naira now consumes almost half of her budget for food.
“I could not believe that just five pieces of tomatoes would cost N1,000. Before, I used to buy baskets during festive periods without thinking too much about it, but now everything is too expensive. We are just managing to cook what we can afford,” she said in an exasperated tone.
Not too long ago, tomatoes and peppers were among the cheapest items most households could afford. But today, they are bought in tiny portions, or abandoned altogether as soaring prices continue to strain household budgets.
For Esther Inyang, survival now means mixing fresh tomatoes and peppers with cheaper, partially spoiled ones to cut costs.
According to her, the strategy allows her to save some money for other household needs instead of spending everything on cooking ingredients alone.
The mother of four said she had hoped to prepare a proper meal for her children during Sallah, but the rising cost of tomatoes and pepper forced her to reduce the quantity of food she planned to cook.
“I intended to cook well for my children during this Sallah, but had to reduce the quantity because tomatoes alone consumed most of my budget,” Inyang lamented.
She lamented that the rising prices of tomatoes and peppers have become increasingly unbearable for households already struggling under the weight of the country’s harsh economic realities.
According to her, some food ingredients once regarded as ordinary kitchen essentials have now become luxury items for many families.
“Buying tomatoes and peppers now feels like buying gold. Before, with N3,000, I could prepare a decent pot of stew for my family, but now the same money can barely buy enough ingredients. Sometimes, I reduce the quantity of food I cook because everything in the market has become too expensive.”
As it stands, across major markets in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and other states, consumers and food vendors are grappling with soaring food prices, worsened by increased demand as the festive period approaches.
In a survey conducted by our correspondent, a small plate containing about five tomatoes now sells for between N500 and N1,000, while a paint bucket of tomatoes costs as much as N10,000 to N15,000, depending on the quality and location of the market.
For instance, a Lagos resident, Queeneth Ojogbile, who regularly shops at Mile 12 Market, said tomato and pepper prices have risen sharply within the last two months, making basic food preparation significantly more expensive for many households.
He also served as Deputy Editor at Sahara Reporters Sports and worked as Content Manager for the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), contributing significantly to sports journalism and digital content development in Nigeria.
Known for his strong storytelling ability and editorial expertise, Olayinka Olawole has covered a wide range of subjects, while also building a reputation in digital storytelling, audience engagement, and content optimisation for online and media platforms.
- South-West FA Chairmen Endorse Gusau for Second Term as NFF President - July 25, 2026
- Whyte Ogbonda Parts Ways with Bayelsa Queens After Successful Two-Year Spell. - July 23, 2026
- Adeleke’s Education Revolution Deepens as Governor Commissions Landmark Projects at UNILESA, Reaffirms Commitment to Human Capital Development. - July 14, 2026
